Black Springbok hunting in Namibia

Black Springbuck is a melanistic colour variant of the Common Springbuck. This medium-sized gazelle is not a subspecies. Regardless of their colour, all Springbuck have a fold of skin on their back that opens to reveal a length of fanned hair, which is often displayed when pronking or when excited. In Common Springbuck, this hair is strikingly white, but in Black Springbuck, it is black. Black Springbuck hunting opportunities are limited to a few ranches in Namibia. Their favoured habitat is open dry to semi-arid grasslands, and they avoid mountainous areas, woodlands, and tall grass. Both sexes carry horns. Collectors often hunt the three recognized SCI colour variant species (Black, White, and Copper). Springbuck can be hunted during the Namibian hunting season. Black Springbuck are classified as Common Springbuck by the IUCN as a species of least concern, and no special hunting permits are required.